The "appalling vandalism" of gravestones and a church hall in Baldock has been condemned by North Herts Council. 

Sometime between 2am and 4am on Friday (July 19), several gravestones in the graveyard at St Mary the Virgin in Church Street were damaged. 

Windows to the church hall were also smashed, and some vehicles in the area were damaged.

A spokesperson for North Herts Council said: "We are extremely saddened to learn about the appalling vandalism that occurred at St Mary’s Church in Baldock, when the church hall and several gravestones were deliberately damaged.

"St Mary’s Church hall is not just a building, it’s a hub for many vital community services, including the food bank, toddler groups and more.

"This senseless act affects us all, and we want to express our support for Reverend Phillipa Maddox and the St Mary’s community at this difficult time."

Police are appealing for information and witnesses.

Sergeant Ryan Champion, of North Herts Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "I am appealing to anyone who has doorbell cameras to check the footage to see if there is anything captured that may help our enquiries.

"Additionally, please if you were driving in the area and have dashcam cameras, also check the footage to see if it has captured anything, and if you were in the area at the time of the incident and have information, please contact the local officer PC Sam Durham."

You can contact him by emailing sam.durham@herts.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can call 101 and quote ISR 070 of Friday 19 July.

If you wish to stay anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.